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Ok boxing fanatics this was to be the first big fight on 2009. Many looked at it as suicide for Mosley going in to this showdown. I saw threads on Boxing Scene like the one titled “Anyone here fearing for Mosley's life?” People here were stating that after his last performance against Ricardo Mayorga (a 12th round knockout) he was finished and had nothing left. They weren’t skeptical they were positive that Antonio Margarita was going to walk over Mosley and punish him much the same way he did to Cotto last July. They were positive Tony would 0be too much that the fast passed pressure along with his size and strength were going to be too superior to the 37 year old Mosley. Many were complementing Tony for taking a tough fight. After all the pre fight drama of Tony asking for more $ stating he was the bigger draw. Shane taking a page out of Hopkins book bringing the milk carton to a press conference the contract was signed.
Mosley a 4-1 underdog was working with a new trainer ****m Richardson for this fight. ****m Richardson long time trainer of Bernard Hopkins and the man who trained him for his most recent upset victory over Kelly Pavlik worked with Mosley for this fight. Mosley said they worked on his jab. That he had used a good jab in past fights but in order to keep a pressure guy like Margarito off you that you need a good jab and movement to do just that you also have to stay off the ropes. Try to keep the fight in the center of the ring as much as possible. He said he knew Margarito would be walking into the punches that he had to deliver them and get out. Keep a good jab in his face and chest and build up work to the body early on so that in later rounds when Margarito stepped on the pedals there wouldn’t be any gas in the tank.
Margarito a 4-1 favorite said that he respected Shane Mosley and he knew he was a great fighter but that he would be broken down and the fight would end up with him in the center of the ring with his arms raised in victory. He said Mosley was past his prime and he would run out of steam in later rounds when he (Tony) would be getting stronger and throwing more punches. He said he wasn’t looking past Mosley at all that he would be ready to fight January 24th no matter who he was i n the ring with. Margarito looked indestructible against Miguel Cotto last July. His chin looked as if it were made of Iron. Some predicting a TKO/KO for Tony in around the 10th or 11th round. I was predicting a UD victory for Shane in this match up. I felt Shane was big enough at 5’10 and had fought in higher weight class 154 and held titles there. I felt he had been in with some big punchers Oscar, Vargas, and Forrest and he had only been knocked down once against Forrest and was up at the count of 2. I thought Shane had the Chin and the skills to out box and win a decision. I figured he would be able to win 5 out of the first 6 rounds. I felt he had the ability to hit Tony at will and score points. I have seen Shane throw some vicious body shots in past fights and I knew Shane had the ability to go downstairs on Tony. This with the fact I felt Shane could back up Tony I mean no one thought Shane was going to back up Cotto and after the first 6 round she was on the attack and Cotto was backing up. I saw this going much the same way. With Shane standing his ground and using his weight to lean on Tony and push him backwards.
Fight night came I was at a friend’s house for a birthday party. We got our chips beers hot wings and grabbed a seat in their entertainment room. Nice leather black movie style chairs that recline. So I was ready with a beverage in hand. I am watching the prefight build up on HBO and I hear Jim Lampley mention that Richardson saw something in the wraps and had the Margarito camp rewrap the hands three times. I didn’t think much as I know Hopkins and his team often do this as a way to make the other fighter feel uncomfortable and get in his head. They announce the fighters and Shane comes in the ring accompanied by a star studded cast with Cuba Gooding Junior and LT. I see Shane and he looks ready. Margarito is announced he enters the ring looking ready and willing to trade.
Round 1 Right from the opening bell I see Shane is pumping his jab out there Keeping it steady and targeting Tony’s face and chest. He landed a hard straight right hand and then tied up Margarito. He seemed very aware of keeping his back off the ropes and every time he came forward landing his right hand he would lean to his right under Tony’s left hand and come up in an clinch. He looked confident and his punches were very crisp and landing clean. The 1st round was over and I noticed Tony had hit the ropes once and Shane lloked very sharp ending the 1st with a nice left hook. 10-9 Round for Shane.
Round 2 Started and Shane was landing fast effective combinations. It looked Shaen was playing the drums off Tony's head. He mixed in a few hard body shots and was leaning on Tony pushing him to the riopes. His straight right hand was very effective and he was able to slip away after landing his punches without Tony getting off in return. Another round in the bank for Shane 10-9. Tony only managed to throw 59 punches in the round landing only 10. So far a very good pace for Shane.
Round 3 began with Shane landing a hard right hand to Tony's body and head he kept pumping his jab while moving backwards and clintching when need be. This was the first time I saw Mosley's back hit the ropes but he managed to get off the ropes quickly and land a fast combination Tony was very flat footed and throwing wide missing punches. Tony landed 1 nice power left but that was it. Round 3 came and went and Shane had three rounds in the bank. 10-9 Mosley
Round 4 Tony was getting a little closer with his punches but more of the smae Mosley landing his straight right hand and over hand right at will it seemed. Mosley landed a extremly hard right at the bell. he showed his superior hand speed all round. He did not work the body as much this round but his right hand was effective. In his corner Richardson told him the best line I heard yet he said "Shane swim with out getting wet" Round 4 in the bank 10-9 Mosley
Round 5 was more competitive Shane and Tony had a few good exchanges. Shane landed a hard right hand the bloodied Tony's mouth. Tony had been complaining of head butts in this round. Shane was tieing him up and leaning his weight on Tony. Margarito had his highest out put in punches this round with 69. Shane landed the harder cleaner shots I gave the round to Shane 10-9.
Round 6 More body work was asked of Shane by Richardson in the corner and Shane did just that ripping a right and left to the body of Tony using his straight right hand and dipping out and away from Tony. The reff was warning them both to watch their heads in this round. Then for the first time in the fight I saw Tony hurt Shane knocked him back to the ropes with a hard right hand 3 straight hard rights in a row had Tony covering up. Tony looked a little bit tired and discouraged in the corner. 10-9 for Mosley
Round 7 Shane using his jab and the right hand to the body to begin the round leaning on Tony not giving up ground. Tony managed to get Shane against the ropes with 30 seconds or so left in the round. It appeared to me as if Shane was taking a little break during this round. I still thought Shane landed some good hard shots to the body and used his jab nicley. I scored this round 10-10 but I could see it as a round that might have gone to Tony. 10-10 even
Round 8 THis round started off with Shane using his jab and hitting Marg in his chest with it. Going to the body and then he landed a fierce combination that backed Tony up. The left hook was what had Tony hurt it was the punch I predicted Shane would be able to hurt Tony with. He landed a few right hands and sent Tony leaning toward the corners and the riopes another right hand put Tony down. I thought the reff was going to stop it but Tony was saved by the bell. 10-8 Mosley
Round 9 In the corner between rounds Tony's people wanted to stop the fight but Tony insisted on coming out for the bell. I thoguht the reff should have stepped in the previous round but what do I know I only write these blogs. Tony came out Shane immediately hit him and backed him into the ropes I remeber thinking to myself is Shane looking at the reff to stop it then it seemed something clicked in Shanes head and he started unloading. Left and right to Tony's head each punch Tony was wilting a little bit more. Finally a right hand dropped Tony and the reff stepped in.
I was not surprised that Shaen won the fight I was surprised at how easy he made it look thought. I was predicting that Shane would win by UD maybe 8 -4. I was excited and felt that with all the talk of Balco and the divorce with Jin that Mosley rose to the occasion. I think that working with Richardson and having the new corner he was prepared to fight the correct game plan and executed it precisly. It seems that during the fight Richardson did an excellent job of giving Shane instructions and Shane follwed them to the T. His body work early on paid off and his hab was effective and kept Tony away. he clicnhed when he needed too and his right hand was there all night. In the after math of the fight there has been alot of talk about the hand wraps of Tony. I will make another blog soon about this topic but I do not think in any way shape of form should this take away from what Shane did the other night. My hats off to you Sugar Shane and I can't wait to see who you take on next....Lefty
Mosley a 4-1 underdog was working with a new trainer ****m Richardson for this fight. ****m Richardson long time trainer of Bernard Hopkins and the man who trained him for his most recent upset victory over Kelly Pavlik worked with Mosley for this fight. Mosley said they worked on his jab. That he had used a good jab in past fights but in order to keep a pressure guy like Margarito off you that you need a good jab and movement to do just that you also have to stay off the ropes. Try to keep the fight in the center of the ring as much as possible. He said he knew Margarito would be walking into the punches that he had to deliver them and get out. Keep a good jab in his face and chest and build up work to the body early on so that in later rounds when Margarito stepped on the pedals there wouldn’t be any gas in the tank.
Margarito a 4-1 favorite said that he respected Shane Mosley and he knew he was a great fighter but that he would be broken down and the fight would end up with him in the center of the ring with his arms raised in victory. He said Mosley was past his prime and he would run out of steam in later rounds when he (Tony) would be getting stronger and throwing more punches. He said he wasn’t looking past Mosley at all that he would be ready to fight January 24th no matter who he was i n the ring with. Margarito looked indestructible against Miguel Cotto last July. His chin looked as if it were made of Iron. Some predicting a TKO/KO for Tony in around the 10th or 11th round. I was predicting a UD victory for Shane in this match up. I felt Shane was big enough at 5’10 and had fought in higher weight class 154 and held titles there. I felt he had been in with some big punchers Oscar, Vargas, and Forrest and he had only been knocked down once against Forrest and was up at the count of 2. I thought Shane had the Chin and the skills to out box and win a decision. I figured he would be able to win 5 out of the first 6 rounds. I felt he had the ability to hit Tony at will and score points. I have seen Shane throw some vicious body shots in past fights and I knew Shane had the ability to go downstairs on Tony. This with the fact I felt Shane could back up Tony I mean no one thought Shane was going to back up Cotto and after the first 6 round she was on the attack and Cotto was backing up. I saw this going much the same way. With Shane standing his ground and using his weight to lean on Tony and push him backwards.
Fight night came I was at a friend’s house for a birthday party. We got our chips beers hot wings and grabbed a seat in their entertainment room. Nice leather black movie style chairs that recline. So I was ready with a beverage in hand. I am watching the prefight build up on HBO and I hear Jim Lampley mention that Richardson saw something in the wraps and had the Margarito camp rewrap the hands three times. I didn’t think much as I know Hopkins and his team often do this as a way to make the other fighter feel uncomfortable and get in his head. They announce the fighters and Shane comes in the ring accompanied by a star studded cast with Cuba Gooding Junior and LT. I see Shane and he looks ready. Margarito is announced he enters the ring looking ready and willing to trade.
Round 1 Right from the opening bell I see Shane is pumping his jab out there Keeping it steady and targeting Tony’s face and chest. He landed a hard straight right hand and then tied up Margarito. He seemed very aware of keeping his back off the ropes and every time he came forward landing his right hand he would lean to his right under Tony’s left hand and come up in an clinch. He looked confident and his punches were very crisp and landing clean. The 1st round was over and I noticed Tony had hit the ropes once and Shane lloked very sharp ending the 1st with a nice left hook. 10-9 Round for Shane.
Round 2 Started and Shane was landing fast effective combinations. It looked Shaen was playing the drums off Tony's head. He mixed in a few hard body shots and was leaning on Tony pushing him to the riopes. His straight right hand was very effective and he was able to slip away after landing his punches without Tony getting off in return. Another round in the bank for Shane 10-9. Tony only managed to throw 59 punches in the round landing only 10. So far a very good pace for Shane.
Round 3 began with Shane landing a hard right hand to Tony's body and head he kept pumping his jab while moving backwards and clintching when need be. This was the first time I saw Mosley's back hit the ropes but he managed to get off the ropes quickly and land a fast combination Tony was very flat footed and throwing wide missing punches. Tony landed 1 nice power left but that was it. Round 3 came and went and Shane had three rounds in the bank. 10-9 Mosley
Round 4 Tony was getting a little closer with his punches but more of the smae Mosley landing his straight right hand and over hand right at will it seemed. Mosley landed a extremly hard right at the bell. he showed his superior hand speed all round. He did not work the body as much this round but his right hand was effective. In his corner Richardson told him the best line I heard yet he said "Shane swim with out getting wet" Round 4 in the bank 10-9 Mosley
Round 5 was more competitive Shane and Tony had a few good exchanges. Shane landed a hard right hand the bloodied Tony's mouth. Tony had been complaining of head butts in this round. Shane was tieing him up and leaning his weight on Tony. Margarito had his highest out put in punches this round with 69. Shane landed the harder cleaner shots I gave the round to Shane 10-9.
Round 6 More body work was asked of Shane by Richardson in the corner and Shane did just that ripping a right and left to the body of Tony using his straight right hand and dipping out and away from Tony. The reff was warning them both to watch their heads in this round. Then for the first time in the fight I saw Tony hurt Shane knocked him back to the ropes with a hard right hand 3 straight hard rights in a row had Tony covering up. Tony looked a little bit tired and discouraged in the corner. 10-9 for Mosley
Round 7 Shane using his jab and the right hand to the body to begin the round leaning on Tony not giving up ground. Tony managed to get Shane against the ropes with 30 seconds or so left in the round. It appeared to me as if Shane was taking a little break during this round. I still thought Shane landed some good hard shots to the body and used his jab nicley. I scored this round 10-10 but I could see it as a round that might have gone to Tony. 10-10 even
Round 8 THis round started off with Shane using his jab and hitting Marg in his chest with it. Going to the body and then he landed a fierce combination that backed Tony up. The left hook was what had Tony hurt it was the punch I predicted Shane would be able to hurt Tony with. He landed a few right hands and sent Tony leaning toward the corners and the riopes another right hand put Tony down. I thought the reff was going to stop it but Tony was saved by the bell. 10-8 Mosley
Round 9 In the corner between rounds Tony's people wanted to stop the fight but Tony insisted on coming out for the bell. I thoguht the reff should have stepped in the previous round but what do I know I only write these blogs. Tony came out Shane immediately hit him and backed him into the ropes I remeber thinking to myself is Shane looking at the reff to stop it then it seemed something clicked in Shanes head and he started unloading. Left and right to Tony's head each punch Tony was wilting a little bit more. Finally a right hand dropped Tony and the reff stepped in.
I was not surprised that Shaen won the fight I was surprised at how easy he made it look thought. I was predicting that Shane would win by UD maybe 8 -4. I was excited and felt that with all the talk of Balco and the divorce with Jin that Mosley rose to the occasion. I think that working with Richardson and having the new corner he was prepared to fight the correct game plan and executed it precisly. It seems that during the fight Richardson did an excellent job of giving Shane instructions and Shane follwed them to the T. His body work early on paid off and his hab was effective and kept Tony away. he clicnhed when he needed too and his right hand was there all night. In the after math of the fight there has been alot of talk about the hand wraps of Tony. I will make another blog soon about this topic but I do not think in any way shape of form should this take away from what Shane did the other night. My hats off to you Sugar Shane and I can't wait to see who you take on next....Lefty
....Lefty
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